Substitute Mark Barbara’s late strike, capitalizing on Mqabba’s keeper slip, allowed champions Marsaxlokk to down the strong challenge from Mqabba, who are proving very tough opponents to everyone in the Premier League.

Marsaxlokk needed the three points to return to winning ways following their draw with Hibernians and move back to the top of the table on equal points with Sliema Wanderers and Floriana, although the latter have a game in hand.

On their part, Mqabba were buoyed by their 3-2 win over Sliema last week and were looking to add more points to climb up the standings.

For most of the first half, Mqabba traded equal punches with the champions as Marsaxlokk looked short of ideas and ironically their best chance in the first 45 minutes came on a counter-attack, a tactic that was mostly employed by Mqabba as they held tight at the back and tried to feed their strikers in the open spaces.

The game livened up a bit in the second half, as Marsaxlokk immediately made it clear they would settle for nothing but a win. However they inevitably left more spaces at the back and only good saves of keeper Debono kept them in the game.

Mqabba created the first danger after 22 minutes. Mintoff did well to collect the ball in midfield and move forward but was then stopped by Sciberras’ tackle. Claudio Calleja was the first on the ball but his shot from outside the area was saved by Debono into a corner.

Marsaxlokk responded just before the half hour mark, when a badly-taken corner by Mqabba was cleared by the defense, Pullicino passed to Pace who then fed Gomes, but the latter failed to finish off the counter-attack even though he was in a one-on-one situation against the keeper.

Just before half-time, Licari found himself alone in the middle of the area, but his attempt with a bicycle kick ended well wide.

Into the second half, Marsaxlokk immediately pushed forward in search for the goal. After a solo action by Jamie Pace, the ball fell to Frendo, who had substituted Pullicino during the break , but shot inches wide.

Mqabba went close towards the hour when Marcelo Pereira collected the ball and, with the outside of his foot, touched the ball on to Zarb who was free inside the area. Debono was however on the alert and managed to block the shot.

On 71 minutes, the southseasiders created the best opportunity when Camenzuli collected the ball on the left wing, moved towards the centre and unleashed a curling shot upon entering the area, but Calleja was well positioned and tipped the ball onto the bar.

As the game was heading for a draw, Marsaxlokk managed to take the lead on 85 minutes, thanks to a blunder by Mqabba’s keeper.

Kris Calleja went to clear the ball but miscued his kick, leaving the ball in Jamie Pace’s feet with the goal at his mercy.

The latter almost managed to miss the golden opportunity, deliberating too long, but the alert Mark Barbara pounced on the loose ball to slot it home.

During the remaining minutes, Mqabba tried to salvage at least a point and, on a corner, even their keeper surged ahead and took part in the attack. The ball ultimately fell in Pereira’s feet, but the striker missed the target from close range.

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Marsaxlokk:.Debono, W.Camenzuli, R.Conceicao, C.Magro (S.Tellus), K.Sammut, T.Templeman, J.Pace, P.Pullicino (C.Frendo), W.Gomes (M.Barbara), M.Licari, G.Sciberras.

Mqabba: K.Calleja, M.Bonnici, I.Nogueira, M.Briffa (A.Busuttil), M.Pereira, C.Calleja, M.Cocks, C.Gatt Baldacchino, J.Mintoff (F.Silva), L.Galea, D.Zarb (J.Muscat).

Referee: S.Tanti

Scorer: M. Barbara

Yellow cards: R. Conceicao, T. Templeman

Player of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Mqabba)